News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

ANTRIM
Community relations in Crumlin were hanging by a thread last week as anger about the town's Twelfth of July parade threatened to boil over into violence.

The town host the Twelfth once every 14 years, but that was still too much for the members of a recently-formed residents' group who called on the Parades' commission to show the organizers their marching orders.

After days of secret deliberations their verdict came in – and it has somehow managed to drum up hostility from hardliners on both sides of the debate.
[Source: Antrim Guardian]

ARMAGH
A Newry pensioner has proved that age is no barrier to chasing academic dreams by earning a prestigious degree through his local college.

Seventy-two-year-old Jimmy Markey from Monaghan Row became a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Humanities when his degree was conferred by the University of Ulster two weeks ago.

The inspirational pensioner played down his achievement but credited his life-long love of books for his success.

“I’ve always had an interest in reading and learning but in my generation we had to leave school and get out to work,” he said.
[Source: Examiner Newspaper]
CARLOW
A Carlow man who pleaded guilty to the theft of almost $2million from the post office where he was manager must wait until October to hear his fate.

The married father of one admitted to taking a total amount of $2,012,274 over a period between December 6, 2010 and June 29, 2009 on five separate occasions, in amounts ranging from $60,000 to $915,000.

The well-known Carlow man replied “guilty” in a one-word response to the charges.
[Source: Carlow Nationalist]

CAVAN
After the success of The Begrudgers, the Gonzo Theatre cast and crew are taking to the stage once again. For the past nine months, many of the Gonzo crew have been working on The Begrudgers which went on to win the RTÉ Storyland competition in June.

The Gonzo have a very busy summer planned and will be staging three plays during the Fleadh Cheoil.

The highly successful plays Fleadh Town and Charlie and the Big Friendly Twits are making a comeback for this Fleadh Cheoil after selling out all shows last year.
[Source: The Anglo Celt]

CLARE
Householders in North Clare have cried foul over the alleged contamination of a group water scheme and private wells by treated effluent discharged from the Clare County Council’s sewerage treatment plant in Kilfenora.

The local authority has admitted that a tracer has been found in the Lemanagh-Roughan Group Water Scheme and has been linked to treated effluent discharged into the Ballybreen swallow hole from the village’s wastewater treatment plant.

The group water scheme serves about 13 households as well as farm connections, while the tracer has also appeared in four other private wells serving another eight houses.
[Source: Clare Champion]

CORK
A pregnant single mother in Cork city is facing homelessness after her rent supplement was found to be $1.40 over the maximum weekly limit.

The woman, in her late 20s, didn’t wish to be named, but fears that she and her 14-month-old son will become homeless at the end of September after receiving a letter from the Department of Social Protection.

“My landlord won’t cut the rent anymore,” said Mary*, who lives in the Northside of the city.

“I have to find alternative accommodation before 29 September but I can’t afford a deposit and the first month's rent up front. Apart from a hostel I will have nowhere to live at all with my son. I wouldn't hassle friends or family which isn’t a solution.”
[Source: Cork Independent]

DERRY
Creggan was in mourning last Thursday week after a teenager from the estate drowned in the local reservoir.

A large scale search-and-recovery operation involving the Fire Service, Foyle Search and Rescue and the PSNI recovered the body of the victim, named locally as Conor McCafferty, in the early hours.

It is understood the young man attempted to swim across the 35 ft. deep reservoir but got into difficulties. A friend who attempted to go to his aid was rescued. Flares lit up the reservoir throughout the night as emergency services tried frantically to locate the victim.

At 6:30 a.m. that morning the body of the young man was retrieved from the water basin, as family and friends held an emotional vigil along its the banks.
[Source: Derry Journal]

DONEGAL
The post office in St. Johnston has been raided for the second time in a year.

The raid occurred at around 11 a.m. on Thursday when men entered the premises armed with baseball bats and demanded cash. They escaped with an undisclosed sum.

A number of cars are understood to have been damaged as the raiders made their escape towards Derry.
[Source: Donegal Democrat]

DOWN
Parts of Co Down were flooded by torrential rain with Down District Council declaring an emergency in the area last week. Newcastle SDLP councilor Carmel O'Boyle said flood water was "several feet deep" in some areas of the town.

Police said the Drumbanagher Road in Poyntzpass near Newry was closed due to the extreme weather. Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service rescued a woman from her car who was trapped in flood water on the Burrenbridge Road in Castlewellan, Co Down.
[Source: Belfast Telegraph]

DUBLIN
An Irish couple and their American friend were beaten in a savage attack just yards from Dail Eireann (Irish Parliament). The three pals were attacked and beaten by a three-man gang as they sat in Merrion Square. During the horror ordeal, the tourist had his head split open with a crutch while his male friend suffered a broken nose and fractured cheek bone as the gang punched and kicked him in the head.

One of the gang was arrested after he was caught by a garda (police officer) who was near the scene, while the other two escaped.
[Source: Evening Herald]

FERMANAGH
Police in Fermanagh are appealing for information about the theft of more than 100 ewes and lambs.
The 160 Swaldaldale ewes and lambs disappeared from Cuilcagh Mountain.

Said a police spokesman: "These sheep are not a common breed in Ireland as they are mountain breed. They are easily recognized by their grey and black faces."
[Source: Fermanagh Herald]

GALWAY
They are magnificent birds and they have returned to Connemara – after 100 years. A pair of white-tailed eagles has made the sweeping expanse of mountains and coastline between Roundstone and

Ballyconneely their home – temporarily at least. If the eagles decide to stay and have a family they could put added life into tourism in Connemara as well. They have come west again as a result of a program started five years ago to restore the majestic species to Ireland.
[Source: Galway Bay FM]

KERRY
Many thousands of sprat and other small fish have been washed up on beaches in the northwest, with indications that the algal bloom or “red tide” has also spread to the coasts of Cork and Kerry.

Experts said last Tuesday the bloom was naturally occurring and was toxic to bottom-dwelling marine species, certain species of fish and shellfish.
[Source: Irish Times]
KILDARE
Disappointment was mixed with a certain amount of relief following the sale of Whites Castle in Athy on July 6.

The disappointment centered around the fact that the castle wasn’t bought by the local council and the relief was that it was bought by an Irish family who intend to live in it as their family home.

The castle was sold for $238,000 at the Allsop Space auction to a couple in their 40s, who are from Galway, but living in the US at present. The couple are believed to have no connections or family links with Athy and they have let it be known that their intention is to eventually live in the castle and use it as their family home.
[Source: Kildare Nationalist]

KILKENNY
The man who attacked and robbed an 86-year-old woman in Kilkenny City last Tuesday has been remanded in custody having been formally charged this morning.

Mariusz Chelstowski (35), of no fixed address, appeared before Judge Clyne in Carlow District Court this morning. He was remanded in Cloverhill Prison to appear again before the court next Tuesday, July 17.

The 86-year-old victim, who lived alone on Walkin Street, suffered head injuries during the attack, as she defended her purse containing $244. She remains in a serious but stable condition in St Luke’s Hospital.
[Source: Kilkenny People]
LAOIS
One of four men accused of having equipment for printing counterfeit currency told Gardaí (police) that rolls of paper and print cartridges found at his address were from a courier job he agreed to do for a man who had called to his garage, the Special Criminal Court has heard.

The memoranda of interview with Liam Delaney (42), with addresses at Mountrath and Borris-in-Ossory, Co. Laois, were read in to the record at the 12th day of his trial and that of his co-accused Anthony Sloan (57), a native of Belfast with an address at Ard na Mara, Dundalk, Co. Louth, Kevin Flanagan (43), of Borris-in-Ossory and Andrew Poole (43), of Portlaoise, Co. Laois.
[Source: Leinster Express]

LEITRIM
A small group of Leitrim’s councilors recently meet with Minister of State, Fergus O’Dowd in a bid to clarify some of the issues surrounding proposals to use hydraulic fracturing in north Leitrim.
Councillors questioned the possible effect of fracking on the tourism and agriculture industry and also raised concerns about the potential contamination of water supplies by the process.

The divisiveness of funding being offered locally by the developer and the level of interaction between consent authorities both North and South of the border in respect to the current licensing option were also highlighted during the meeting.
[Source: Leitrim Observer]

LIMERICK
Two French nationals have suffered robberies in Limerick’s city center in recent days.
And Henry Street Gardaí (police) has arrested a man in a third case where a woman was robbed while walking on Denmark Street.

The first incident involved the theft of a mobile phone from a French student. The incident took place at Belfield Gardens at approximately 6:45 p. m. on Saturday, July 7. The student, a 15-year-old male, was approached by a man who demanded that he hand over his mobile phone, which he duly did.
[Source: Limerick Leader]

LONGFORD
The new Mayor of County Longford Sean Farrell described the Sunday Business Post article on heroin in Longford two weekends ago as a “hatchet job.”

In a video interview on www.longfordleader.ie, Clr. Farrell described his feeling upon reading Peter Geoghegan’s piece as one of “outrage,” saying that in his estimation the “dark arts of journalism” were used to convey the impression that Longford was a mecca for heroin usage. In reality, he contends

Longford’s problem is no worse than many other midland towns.
[Source: Longford Leader]

LOUTH
According to the latest figures from the CSO, Ryan is the most popular name for boys in Louth, while Emily is the most popular for girls.

Ryan has topped the poll for the third year in a row, while Emily has been the most popular both 2011 and 2010, taking over from Sophie in 2009.

The name Ryan bucks the national trend, where Jack is the most popular. Jack retains the top position it has held every year since 2007, and Emily moved up one place to obtain the number one spot for the first time.
[Source: Dundalk Democrat]

MAYO
One person on average per week has taken their own life in Mayo in 2012 after it was revealed last week that 23 people in the county have died by suicide since the turn of the year. The frightening statistics were discussed in depth at the monthly meeting of Mayo County Council after Independent councilor Michael Kilcoyne had raised the matter, adding that figures had trebled in the last three years.

An emotional discussion on mental health and suicide prevention took place in the council chamber following a presentation by Mary O’Sullivan, the HSE West Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention and Máire Ní Dhomhnaill, a counsellor in the Family Resource Centre in Castlebar.
[Source: The Mayo News]
MEATH
A flaming coal fire will be a thing of the past for Navan households from next year as the ban on traditional smoky coal is extended to the town.

Local coal merchants are now gearing up for the change, which will see householders having to change to smokeless coal from next May.

While concern has been expressed that the smokeless fuels will add extra expense to hard-pressed households, it is believed the ban will have significant health benefits for the town – environmental health research has indicated that the ban in Dublin has resulted in up to 350 fewer annual deaths.
[Source: Meath Chronicle]

MONAGHAN
Gardaí (police) and customs officials have shut down an illegal fuel-laundering operation in County Monaghan near the Irish border.

The plant at Longfield, Castleblaney, had the capacity to launder 15 million liters of fuel a year at a cost of $9.1m to the Exchequer, officials said.

It was concealed in a lorry at a commercial yard.

The lorry, two 40-foot containers, two tankers, a van and 40,000 liters of laundered product have been seized.
[Source: BBC News]

OFFALY
A bankrupt former Fianna Fáil councilor and one-time general election candidate has admitted stealing from a court-appointed official assignee.

Gerard Killally (41), Edenderry, Co. Offaly who is a former Fianna Fáil chairman of Offaly County Council, admitted taking shop equipment from a premise he used to own at Rochfortbridge, Co. Westmeath, between October 2010 and February 2011.

The offenses happened after he was declared bankrupt and the shop and its contents were under the control of the court’s official assignee Christopher Lehane.

Mr. Killally pleaded guilty before Judge Anthony Hunt at Mullingar Circuit Court to three counts of theft and one of forging a letter.
[Source: Irish Times]
ROSCOMMON
Former OC star Mischa Barton has revealed how she once cut turf on her uncle's farm in Roscommon.

The 26-year-old, whose mother hails from Roscommon, spent many childhood holidays in the Midlands before she hit the big time playing troubled teen Marissa Cooper in US TV show The OC in 2003.

SLIGO
Sligo footballer Adrian Marren and Tipperary hurler Patrick Maher have been named as the GAA/GPA All-Stars Players of the month for June.

Marren was the star of the show as Sligo staged a second half recovery to stun Galway at Pearse Stadium in the Connacht SFC semi-final, scoring a sensational 2-6 to inspire his side to a 2-14 to 0-15 victory and a place in last Sunday's decider against Mayo.
[Belfast Telegraph]

TIPPERARY
The local government tendering process was subject to European and national criteria, councilors were told at the July meeting of Nenagh/Borrisokane area council. Area engineer Marcus O’Connor said that the thresholds were being lowered and even the smaller jobs were going out to tender. “We don’t have a choice.”

However, he pointed out that local companies had been successful in securing tendered work, but that was because the work was outside the county.

Mr. O’Connor said it was not always the case that the lowest tender was accepted by the council.

The issue had been raised by Fianna Fail councillor Jim Casey, who wanted to know why local companies that tendered for work did not always get the contract.
[Source: Tipperary Star]

TYRONE
Eighty new jobs are on the way to Dungannon and Cookstown. Thirty plus jobs are set to be created in Moygashel with the opening of a new supermarket. And 50 full and part time jobs have been created at the Time bar, restaurant and nightclub which officially opened in Cookstown at the weekend.

The proposed new supermarket in Moygashel is expected to open in the autumn.
[Source: Tyrone Courier]

WATERFORD
With each bang of the gavel, piece after piece of the furnishings that made up the fabric of life in Mount Congreve were sold off and shipped around the globe last week.

The two-day auction, which took place last Tuesday and Wednesday, attracted thousands of interested buyers, with everything from beautifully hand-painted wallpaper, delicate china, extravagant chandeliers, carefully selected wines from the cellar and even pairs of gentlemen’s riding britches going up for sale.
[Source: Waterford News & Star]

WESTMEATH
A 19-year-old woman was recovering in hospital after she was pulled from a burning car just outside Athlone last Tuesday evening.

At about 7 p.m. last Tuesday the woman was driving her car when she crashed into a bridge on the Athlone to Ballinahown Road. The car burst into flames and the woman was pulled from the car by passing motorists and people living on the road.

She was brought to the Midlands Regional Hospital in Tullamore, where she was treated for her injuries.
[Source: Westmeath Independent]

WEXFORD
Wexford TD Mick Wallace is facing political exile after refusing to deal with an ethics watchdog over his company's $2.6m VAT bill.

The Independent TD refused to answer questions from the Members' Interests Committee on a timeline of the scandal – from when he under-declared tax for his construction business – until he reached a settlement.

Mr. Wallace answered only two of seven questions put to him, claiming the committee was acting outside its remit.

Committee Chairman Thomas Pringle said he would refer the matter back to the Dáil (Irish Parliament) because he is unable to confirm if the Independent TD came clean about the tax dodge before being elected.
[Source: Irish Examiner]

WICKLOW
A 27-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of murdering a father-of-three in Co. Wicklow three years ago.

Michael Dickenson of no fixed abode and formerly of Darragh Park, Wicklow Town, had pleaded not guilty to murdering Steven O’Meara at Ballydonnell Wood, Red Cross, Co. Wicklow, on or about August 6, 2009.

Last Monday a Central Criminal Court jury found him guilty of murder by majority verdict after almost six hours of deliberation.
[Source: Irish Times]